NBA odds experts have come out making Toronto a -5 favorite and the total around 201. For my selection tonight I will take the Raptors minus the points as I simply don't see Chicago improving much from how they were playing prior to the break.

Chicago Bulls
Chicago is averaging 101.2 points per game while shooting 43.5% from the field, and allowing 101.9 points per game on 43.1% shooting from the field. On the season they are a terrible 19-33 overall against the spread, and 9-17 at home. There has been a lot of issues going on with this team internally culminating at the trade deadline in which they dealt Kirk Heinrich, but as of writing this they have kept Pau Gasol although he was considered for some trades. Offensively they have pushed as much tempo as just about anyone in the NBA averaging 88.3 field-goal attempts per game which ranks them second in the league. They have also been decent making 38.4 of those attempts per average which ranks 10th in the league. However, their overall shooting percentages are very poor and they rank in the very bottom of the NBA ranking 27th and 29th in overall and two point shooting percentage respectively. Their three-point shooting has been decent and they rebound the ball very well. Defensively they have been very good with some of the best defensive percentages in the league, but it has not produced for them getting in the win column, with a loss yesterday to the Cavaliers they have lost eight of their last 10 games.

Toronto Raptors
Toronto is averaging 101.8 points per game while shooting 44.7% from the field, and allowing 97.4 points per game on 44.2% shooting from the field. On the season they are 29-23 overall against the spread, and 16-12 on the road. The Raptors have played as well as anyone in the Eastern Conference since the beginning of the new year and should be looking for a little bit of revenge tonight. The last two times they have played Chicago they have lost in two toughly contested games. However, tonight they catch Chicago off a back to back and looking like a shadow of themselves compared to earlier in the year. Offensively Toronto has been very efficient while not pushing pace but focusing on defense. They have been shooting beyond the arc extremely well averaging 36.8% from distance which ranks third in the NBA. Where they have really pick things up this season though is on the other side of the ball and they rank as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Because of their controlled tempo Toronto allows opponents just 81.8 field-goal attempts per game which ranks third in the NBA, and just allowing 36.1 of those shots to drop which ranks fourth in the NBA. They rank in the top 10 in most offensive categories, but they do allow opponents to shoot at a decent rate from beyond the arc. Overall this is a team that looks like it could contend for the Eastern Conference championship.

For one of your NBA picks I recommend laying the points with the Toronto Raptors and look for them to continue from where they left off. Chicago has been struggling recently and I don't see things getting better for them even at home tonight. Good revenge spot for the Raptors as well having lost the last two against Chicago.